Onset (2)

The wind blustered against the window, aching to barge inside the room, causing it fluttered, trembled, and produced raucous rattles. Raindrops were tapping, pattering before it went drumming as they collided on the wood casement. The ice-cold wind set the chilly atmosphere of the room as it gusted through the small channel with every push of the opening.

Although Daewon's shift had ended, and his replacement was already present, he could not leave the court since it was pouring. Sungho insisted Daewon should take shelter and wait for the rain to stop: if he would use an umbrella for shade, it would only get destroyed by the wind outside.

Sungho reached the cotton cloth from the hands of his court lady, passing each to Hyun Sik and Seok before asking Chun to make warm tea for them to drink.

"How are you, brother?" He asked soon as Chun left the room. Sungho stood beside Hyun Sik and watched him blotting his hair.

"I'm fine. But more importantly." Hyun Sik paused from drying his hair and snatched Sungho's wrist that was covered with a gauze. "What's this and that patch on your neck?"

Behind the thick voice which sounded less clear because of his rising anger, Sungho was able to catch his words. He looked at Hyun Sik who was surveying the thin bandage in his wrist. "Didn't they tell you about what happened?"

"They did. They informed me about you getting the poisoned. " Hyun Sik stopped for a moment before he continued, "Who drew it out again?"

"It was Daewon."

Hyun Sik remained quiet as he was accepting Sungho's answer, pressing his thumb on the gauze, then gently removing his hold. "... Have you found the one who did it yet?"

His action made Sungho sniff the air, sensing the tingling pain on his wrist caused by the light pressure. "No, but I have suspicions, brother."

"Who is it?"

"I suspect it is the Grand Concubine."

As Sungho announced the person behind him being poisoned, Hyun Sik's face suddenly became grim, showing an overcast expression with the burning glint flashing in his eyes.

"What are we idling then? I'm gonna do the same and poison that bitch in her sleep," Hyun Sik claimed as he dropped the cotton cloth on the floor, seeming as if he was about to charge outside despite the heavy rain, planning to storm his way inside the grand concubine's court.

But Sungho could not allow this. He stepped in front to stop him, clenching on his sleeve to abruptly stop him from leaving as his eyes were pleading for Hyun Sik to settle down. "We can't, brother!"

"Why!" was Hyun Sik's raucous return.

His shout rang inside the room, piercing their eardrums from its volume and roughness. With the quenching of the rain showering, mixing in the background, the room went silent. No one dared to stand between them.

Just as Sungho parted his lips to speak among the heavy tension forming, Daewon butted in.

"I agree with her, Hyun Sik. Don't be drastic and make stupid actions. It'll ruin the plan." Although Daewon seemed to be helping Sungho to hold him down, his statement happened to add fuel to Hyun Sik's rage.

It happened in a flash: Hyun Sik pulled the soldier and grabbed him by his collar. Stuck in between, Sungho remained there; he could not move as he stood in the middle of the two men.

"Are you telling me to let this happen to my sister?"

"Yes," Daewon responded in a toneless voice.

"And what if I can't?" growled Hyun Sik as he pulled the soldier closer.

"That'll be a problem for me, doesn't it?" Daewon oddly raised a hand before saying, "Cease your blade, Kwan."

'Who?' Sungho's jaw hung loosely, wearing a puzzled expression on his face. With a low yet sharp clutter that his ears caught, a reflex dictated him to peek who was behind his brother.

And it was the same to Seok, his hand moved directly on the grip and unsheathed his sword to draw the blade. But his reaction seemed later than Sungho.

"... Understood," was the answer from the guest who uninvitedly entered the scene. Standing on the other side of the room, the person who appeared wrapped in dark garments, only exposing his eyes, was pointing his dagger at Hyun Sik's nape.

Daewon set his hold on the hand grabbing his collar and removed it effortlessly. "At least hold yourself until the assassination," he commented as his gaze averted to the window that no longer fluttering.

"Since the rain has settled down, I'll be taking my leave, Your Highness." Daewon bowed and excused himself as if nothing happened, leaving them bewildered inside the chambers.

"I've brought the tea, Your Highness." They heard the innocent voice from Chun who was behind the sliding door, announcing her arrival before stepping in. "Hm? Did something happen?"